A&W plans move into better-burger world with test of fast-casual restaurant

Lexington-based A&W Restaurants plans to test a fast-casual restaurant here later this year that will be more similar to a Five Guys or Smashburger store than the chain's existing fast-food look and feel.

It's a major move for the company, which was sold by Louisville-based Yum Brands in late 2011 to a partnership that includes franchisees.

"We've seen a lot of success within the burger portion of fast-casual with Five Guys just exploding and Smashburger," said Liz Bazner, A&W's social and digital communications strategist. "This is our way of saying these are options." Read More.